40 knot gusts

The 18ft Skiff European Grand Prix came to a close in Lake Garda

The last day of the European 18ft Skiff Grand Prix brought a fitting climax to the event, both in terms of the racing and the weather conditions.

The wind dialed in a little later than usual on Friday meaning that only two races could be scheduled. But it made up for it with the quality of the breeze, with a steady 10-12 knot Ora settling in nicely.

The winners podium position was already assured by Pegasus Racing (USA) with a flawless display during the week - with two discards, they actually counted a perfect set of bullets to have an unassailable lead with two races to go - a truly outstanding performance. Later at the prize giving Howie Hamlin would pay credit to his crew, Mike Martin and Trent Barnabas, for delivering their flawless victory.

The action then was for second place overall with a three way battle between Yandoo (AUS), Pindar Radii (GBR) and GE Commercial (GBR). With only five points between them going into the final day, it was all to play for. GE Commercial, however, decided that guaranteeing the top European position was the order of the day and set about a very well executed match race during pre-start with Pindar Radii. The equation was simple - GE have the better discard, it was a case of hunting Pindar Radii down the fleet to bring those results into play and hence assuring the leading European skiff position. They went about their task with ruthless efficiency from the four minute gun managing first to force Pindar Radii into a crash gybe resulting in a capsize, and then forcing them out of the un-favoured pin end of the start line after they had quickly recovered from their dip. This meant both teams were at the back of the pack with GE in a commanding covering position.

A tacking dual - something special in an 18ft skiff! - then ensued with the crews reaching for the oxygen masks as they approached the windward mark after Pindar Radii tried to force an error from GE by throwing in nearly twenty tacks. GE managed to just keep ahead on the hoist and cover downwind, and then a tacking duel exploded again on the next upwind. There were no mistakes from either team, and although Pindar Radii managed in all this activity to pick the shifts and get both teams up to mid fleet, is was not to be and GE pulled off their plan.

Going into the last race, Yandoo had secured second position overall, and it was down to GE versus Pindar Radii for the top European slot, with the former just one point ahead after their tactical master plan in the first race of the day - they could not afford to play the same game, however, as TMF (GBR) could theoretically trump them both with a good result.

The breeze by this time had really started to kick in - gusting 15-16 knots. GE and Pindar had a perfect starboard end start and lead the fleet to the top mark. A blasting downwind with the big rigs kept the pack close together and as the fleet rounded the leeward mark an ominous black cloud appeared in the South. Within a couple of minutes all hell broke loose - a 40 knot squall with rain drops the size of Pinot grapes came crashing across the fleet laying everyone flat within an instant and effectively calling a halt to the racing. It was now just a case of survival with the crews sheltering on the upturned hulls and the rescue teams ensuring everyone was safe and sound. Eventually the wind died to a point where the teams could race back to shore before the next storm hit. A couple of broken rigs and bruises later the fleet was all accounted for on the shore.

This left Pegasus Racing taking the event crown, with Yandoo and GE Commercial taking up the remaining podium positions - an eventful finish to a competitive series!

Results:

1-Pegasus Racing (USA) - 9 pts
2-Yandoo (AUS) - 29pts
3-GE Commercial Finance (GBR) - 37 pts
4-Pindar Radii (GBR) - 38pts
5-TMF (GBR) - 42 pts